Garth Preston Toombs

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Garth Toombs, who died peacefully in Calgary on January 15, 2025, in his 90th year. 

The second son of Morley and Nelly Toombs of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Garth was born in March of 1935. He met Ann McIntyre as a teenager when he drove a group of youth leaders to a United Church conference in 1954 – it is said she rode in the back seat on the way to the conference, and in the front seat on the way back. They married in 1957, settling initially in Regina.

Garth earned three university degrees: a BA in English literature, an MS in Community and International Studies, and an MBA in Human Resources and Public Administration. He also earned certification as a YMCA secretary and was proud of the innovative programs for youth he created at the Lakeshore YMCA in Toronto, and as program director at YMCA Geneva Park, on Lake Couchiching near Orillia, Ontario.

In 1967 he became a trainer at the Addiction Research Foundation of Ontario (now the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health), where he worked his way up to senior management. 

In 1981, the family moved to Calgary, where Garth founded a successful human resources and career counselling firm. He soon joined the Rotary Club of Calgary, where he served in many leadership and committee roles, including as club President and District Governor. He was a recipient of Rotary’s Service Above Self Award.

Garth’s greatest passion as a Rotarian was his work on various health-related development projects in Central America, India, and especially Uganda, where he worked with communities to promote educational opportunities for AIDS orphans and for greater access to clean drinking water. 

He was often called upon by other Rotarians to consult on such projects and continued to serve in this way until his final illness. He also served as a volunteer with the Human Resources Institute of Alberta, the Chamber of Commerce, Canadian Government volunteer services focusing on First Nations programs, and the Association for the Rehabilitation of the Brain Injured. Their volunteer work enabled Garth and Ann to develop close and lasting friendships with many people around the world.

Garth was avid in his pursuit of health and fitness. Even at age 89 he would routinely go on 20km bike rides, 5km walks, and absolutely loved his 3 days a week of curling.

Garth believed that a life well lived was, among other things, a life of service, and he passed this conviction on to those who knew and loved him. May his memory be a blessing. 

Garth is survived by his loving wife of 68 years, Ann Toombs, their four children and their spouses Bruce Toombs (Nat Doyon), Mark Toombs (Lori Toombs), Paul Toombs and Kim Toombs (Shane Calder) along with Mena Laberge and their six grandchildren and their spouses: Graham, Kayla (Nathan), Eric, Jasmine (Marek), Ash, and Wren. He was predeceased by his parents, Morley and Nelly, and his brother Wilbert.

Funeral services will be held at St. David’s United Church at 11am on Friday, January 31, 2025. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Garth’s name to the Rotary International World fund: https://my.rotary.org/en/donate 

Those wishing to attend but are unable to join in person, may attend via Youtube: https://youtube.com/live/_9siGMtbLRM?feature=share